Reaction to grand jury decision in Eric Garner case

A Staten Island grand jury voted not to indict NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner, the asthmatic, overweight man who died after cops wrestled him down with an apparent chokehold during an arrest on July 17, 2014.

Protesters demonstrate in Manhattan

Photo Credit: Howard Schnapp

Protesters march on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014.

Protesters demonstrate in Manhattan

Photo Credit: Howard Schnapp

Protesters march on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014.

Protesters demonstrate in Manhattan

Photo Credit: Howard Schnapp

Protesters march on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014.

Protesters demonstrate in Manhattan

Photo Credit: Howard Schnapp

Protesters march on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014.

Midtown Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.

Demonstrators protesting a grand jury's decision not to indict an NYPD officer in the Eric Garner case sit in the middle of the road at the Lincoln Tunnel exit in Manhattan on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014.

Times Square Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.

New York City police approach Marvin Day, of Jackson Heights, who stood in front of a large bus on Seventh Avenue in Manhattan's Times Square on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, to protest the death of Eric Garner and a grand jury's decision not to indict the NYPD officer at the center of the case.

Foley Square Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.

Demonstrators rally at Foley Square in lower Manhattan on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, to protest the death of Eric Garner and a grand jury's decision not to indict the NYPD officer at the center of the case.

Times Square Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.

Marvin Day, of Jackson Heights, holds up a large bus on Seventh Avenue in Times Square on Dec. 4, 2014 in protests over the death of Eric Garner.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

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Protesters gather Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, at Foley Square to rally against the grand jury's decision not to indict the Staten Island police officer involved in the death of Eric Garner.

Brooklyn Bridge Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Craig Ruttle

Protesters march over the Brooklyn Bridge on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, after Wednesday's decision by a grand jury not to indict NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner when police tried to arrest him on July 17, 2014, in Staten Island.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

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Crowds gather Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, at Foley Square to protest the grand jury's decision not to indict an NYPD officer in the death of Eric Garner.

Brooklyn Bridge Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Craig Ruttle

Protestors react on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 to a Staten Island grand jury's decision not to indict an NYPD officer in the the death of Eric Garner.

Brooklyn Bridge Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Craig Ruttle

In a second day of protests, crowds gather to march across the Brooklyn Bridge Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, in the wake of a Staten Island grand jury's decision not to indict NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner when police tried to arrest him on July 17, 2014.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Craig Ruttle

Protesters gather in Manhattan on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, in the wake of a Staten Island grand jury's decision not to indict NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner when police tried to arrest him on July 17, 2014.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.

A large crowd demonstrates at Foley Square in New York City Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 in the wake of a Staten Island grand jury's decision not to indict NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner on July 17, 2014.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.

A large crowd demonstrates at Foley Square in New York City Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 in the wake of a Staten Island grand jury's decision not to indict NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner on July 17, 2014.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.

Make-shift coffins are laid out in front of a large crowd that demonstrated at Foley Square in New York City Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 after a Staten Island grand jury decided not to indict NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner on July 17, 2014.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

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People chant during a protest against the decision of a grand jury not to indict a police officer involved in the death of Eric Garner, in Foley Square, New York City on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014.

PBA President Patrick Lynch

Photo Credit: Newsday / Alejandra Villa

The president of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, Patrick Lynch, said on Thursday, December 4, 2014 that Mayor Bill de Blasio "threw New York City officers under the bus" with his emotional remarks in Staten Island Wednesday night about the Eric Garner grand jury decision.
"While the mayor was behind a microphone, New York City police were out there protecting people's right to protest in the middle of the night while keeping residents of the city safe."

Protester in Times Square

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A woman is overcome with emotion during a Times Square protest in Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, against the grand jury's decision in the Eric Garner case.

Grand Central protest

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People protest in Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, after it was announced that the New York City police officer involved in the death of Eric Garner was not indicted.

Brooklyn Bridge arrests

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New York City police officers arrest people blocking traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, in protest against a grand jury's decision not to indict a police officer involved in the death of Eric Garner in Staten Island.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

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A group of protesters with signs makes its way up a congested Fifth Avenue sidewalk near Rockefeller Center during a ceremony to light the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, as protesters rally against the decision not to indict the police officer involved in the death of Eric Garner.

Mayor Bill de Blasio

Photo Credit: Getty Images / Andrew Burton

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the Eric Garner decision was "profoundly personal to me," as he reminded New Yorkers of his own 17-year-old biracial son. Embracing the slogan "black lives matter," he said somberly, "We are dealing with centuries of racism that have brought us to this day. That is how profound the problem is."

Esaw Garner and Gwen Carr reject apology

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Esaw Garner, the widow of Eric Garner, and his mother, Gwen Carr, rejected NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo's condolences. "An apology now means absolutely nothing," Esaw Garner told the Rev. Al Sharpton Wednesday night on his MSNBC television program hours after hearing the decision. "I'm left without my husband," Esaw Garner said as Carr sat with her. "Now I have to be alone to raise my children and grandchildren . . . He can go home to his family."

West Side Highway protests

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People march in protest on Manhattan's West Side Highway on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, after the announcement that the New York City police officer involved in the death of Eric Garner would not be indicted.

NYC protests spread to the West Side Highway

Photo Credit: Anthony Lanzilote

Protesters march on the West Side Highway after a grand jury decided not to indict NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2014.

Manhattan protests in Eric Garner case

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Protesters march in the streets and block traffic in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, December 3, 2014.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

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Officials stand guard near Radio City Music Hall, where protesters gathered on the perimeter of the Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony after it was announced that the New York City police officer involved in the death of Eric Garner is not being indicted, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction in Times Square

Photo Credit: Anthony Lanzilote

Protesters march through Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, after a grand jury decided not to indict NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the July death of Eric Garner.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Anthony Lanzilote

Protesters march through Manhattan after a grand jury came back with no indictment against Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

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A man holds a banner as he takes part during a protest in support of Eric Garner at Union Square on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, in New York City.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Getty Images / Kena Betancur

A man holds a banner as he takes part during a protest in support of Eric Garner at Union Square on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, in New York City.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Getty Images / Kena Betancur

People hold banners as they take part during a protest in support of Eric Garner at Union Square on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, in New York City.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: KARINA CUEVAS

Hundreds marched from Grand Central Terminal to Times Square after a Staten Island grand jury decided not to indict an NYPD officer in the July death of Eric Garner.

Staten Island Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Craig Ruttle

In the wake of a grand jury decision on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks at a news conference.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

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People in the main hall of Grand Central Terminal on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, participate in a 'die-in' to protest the decision of a grand jury not to indict a police officer involved in the July death of Eric Garner on Staten Island.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Anthony Lanzilote

Protesters stage a "die-in" protest at Grand Central Station after a grand jury decided not to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the July death of Eric Garner Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014.

Manhattan Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Anthony Lanzilote

Protesters stage a "die-in" at Grand Central Station after a grand jury decided not to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the July death of Eric Garner Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014.

Staten Island Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Craig Ruttle

A protester kneels Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, near the spot where Eric Garner died in July while he was being put into police custody.

Staten Island Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Craig Ruttle

Daniel Skelton of Rahway, N.J., holds cigarettes as he protests a grand jury decision Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, near the spot where Eric Garner died in July while he was being put into police custody.

Staten Island Eric Garner reaction

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A man steps on loose cigarettes near the site where Eric Garner died in July on Staten Island Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014.

Ben Carr, Eric Garner's stepfather, reacts

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Ben Carr, stepfather of Eric Garner, speaks about the grand jury decision involving his son on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, near the spot where Garner died in July. He said the decision was like a knife wound "to the heart." A grand jury decided not to indict NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo in Garner's death.

Ben Carr, Eric Garner's stepfather, reacts

Photo Credit: Craig Ruttle

Ben Carr, stepfather of Eric Garner, speaks to a person on the phone about the grand jury decision involving his son Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, near the spot where Eric Garner died. A grand jury decided not to indict NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the Garner death.

Staten Island Eric Garner reaction

Photo Credit: Craig Ruttle

Heather Ewig of Staten Island, who says she knew Eric Garner from the neighborhood, sits on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, near the spot (left) where Garner died while he was being taken into police custody in July.

Eric Garner

Photo Credit: National Action Network

This undated family photo provided by the National Action Network on Saturday, July 19, 2014, shows Eric Garner, who was confronted by police trying to arrest him on suspicion of selling untaxed, loose cigarettes on a Staten Island sidewalk, authorities said.

Eric Garner's family

Photo Credit: AP / National Action Network

In this undated family photo, Eric Garner, right, poses with his children during a family outing.